Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1636. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 25 March 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this PQ. [20916/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.

A post reply to the original question, No. 559 of 25 March 2025 issued to the Deputy on 22 April 2025.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1637. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has spoken with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the scrambler and quad crisis on public roads and parks. [20917/25]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1638. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has spoken to the Garda Commissioner on the provision of a dedicated and specially trained unit to deal with the pursuit of illegal scramblers and quads on streets and in parks. [20918/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1637 and 1638 together.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for garda operational matters, including road traffic legislation enforcement, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need to do their jobs.

Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all Gardaí, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and specialist enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. Gardaí continue to enforce road traffic legislation and detect dangerous use of scramblers, quad bikes and e-scooters.

An Garda Síochána responds to all reports of anti-social behaviour and conducts operations on an ongoing basis to target the anti-social activities of people using scramblers, mopeds and quads in public parks and green areas.

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 gives Gardaí powers to tackle the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes, including through powers of seizure. This legislation rests under the Department of Transport.

An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the inherent dangers associated with the use of those vehicles. In order to combat dangerous behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of those vehicles involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.

A new Garda Spontaneous Pursuits Policy was published in December 2024. This policy aims to provide direction to Garda personnel who in the course of their duties, engage in the use of pursuit tactics and pursuit management in order to reduce the risk associated with pursuits and stopping of subject vehicles. This applies to any vehicles, not just cars or motorcycles/scramblers.

It should be noted that interception poses significant risks, not only to the drivers and passengers of these vehicles, but also to members of the public and local Gardaí in affected communities. These difficulties would remain, irrespective of any legislative enhancements.

With regard to the apprehension of the individuals involved, Gardaí are required to carry out a risk assessment as to how they should respond to each individual case presented before them.

Gardaí must operate within the law and have to be mindful of the dangers to themselves, members of the public present, the rider and the issues involved with a pursuit of this type which could have fatal consequences.

It is important to note that Gardaí have other enforcement options open to them including investigative expertise to locate and question suspected persons after the fact which would pose less of a risk to public safety.

In addition, the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, chaired by former Minister of State James Browne, previously examined measures to be taken when vehicles such as scramblers and quad bikes are misused in communities. The work of the sub-group laid the foundation for a new initiative to support local projects to encourage young people in the safe and legal use of motorbikes.

It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, together with the creation of alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling the problem.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1639. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí, by rank, within the DMR region that have been fully trained in the usage of drones and the legislation regarding drones being used in public areas. [20919/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 3 April 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to answer this PQ. [20920/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.